2027 Cooper DeJean Trophy Candidates: 4A

The inaugarul Cooper DeJean Trophy, which goes to the top player in all classes, was awarded to Newton's [player_tooltip player_id='1619687' first='Caden' last='Klein']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/caden-klein/"></a> in mid-April. Who will be players to keep an eye on from 4A when the trophy is handed out next year?   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/2027-cooper-dejean-trophy-candidates-5a/">2027 Cooper DeJean Trophy Candidates: 5A</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/2027-cooper-dejean-trophy-candidates-5a-part-2/">2027 Cooper DeJean Trophy Candidates: 5A Part 2</a>    A balanced back that specializes in making tacklers miss, staying up right and out-running th defense, [player_tooltip player_id='1366537' first='Isaiah' last='Hansen'] will be a contender to lead 4A, along with the other larger classes in the state, in rushing this fall. Committed to Iowa State, Hansen was teammates with Klein last season, adding to the dynamic offense the Cardinals' fielded night in and night out in 4A. Reaching the semifinals at state, a miracle come back by Xavier was required to overtake one of the top offenses the state had seen, and Hansen was a key part in Newton's run ot Cedar Falls.   Last season, Hansen's 165 carries for 1,337 yards and 18 touchdowns had him finish tied for third in rushing scores and sixth in yards rushing. He'll also be 4A's second-leading returner in all-purpose yards with 1,559. Without Klein returning, Hansen could be in line for an even bigger load to carry offensively for the Cardinals this fall, giving him a strong case to represent Newton once again next spring.     One of the quarterbacks that looks most physically ready for the next level, [player_tooltip player_id='1644900' first='Tru' last='McBride'] stands at a tall, athletic and strong 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, allowing him to see over the defense, while also maintaing a solid base that's tough to bring down on the run or in the pocket. Willing to put his shoulder down and mow over would-be tacklers, the 2027 gunslinger has a little Mark Gronowski to him when he takes off on designed runs.   McBride has a lightning quick release along with an arm that can make a ton of throws -- over the middle, down the sideline and about as deep as any other QB can launch it in Iowa. When a play breaks down, he doesn't immediately look to take off, either. Keeping his eyes down field, his arm strength allows him to find open receivers.   Last season, he completed 94-of-173 passes (54.1%) for 1,247 yards and eight scores last season, along with 53 carries for 177 yards and nine scores. If given the freedom to throw it deep more consistently this season, McBride could have a major breakout senior campaign.     The state leader in tackles in all classes, [player_tooltip player_id='1532913' first='Nick' last='Milburn'] finished his junior campaign with a whopping 120 tackles. He was the only prospect in 4A to finish with more than 100 tackles, out-pacing second place by nearly 30 tackles. All-in-all, between the last two seasons, Milburn has put together 222 tackles.   Some mind-boggling numbers there, Hansen's teammate is a monster on the other side of the field for the Cardinals. A prospect that relentlessly pursues the football while keeping his head on a swivel, Milburn is a menace on the gridiron for opposing offenses. Whether it's filling a gap on a run play, getting after the ball-carrier in the backfield or tracking them down on the perimeter, Milburn is going to find a way to bring down the ball-carrier. In addition to the 120 tackles, he finished the year with 18.5 tackles-for-loss and three sacks.   Somehow just receiving his first Division I offer from Northern Illinois, Milburn is the type of recruit that programs can be built around, where production far outweighs some of his still good physical traits, as he stands at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds. With another year of terrorizing offenses, he could be in the mix for the award next year.     The state champion quarterback returns for his final year with the chance to take the Saints back to the promised land. [player_tooltip player_id='1827747' first='Cash' last='Parks'], an unwavering, "never too high, never too low" gunslinger that led Xavier to an undefeated season as their star QB, and he has chance to further his legacy in Cedar Rapids with another stellar year.   Completing 125-of-172 passes (72.7%) for 2,220 yards, 28 touchdowns and just two interceptions, Parks was incredibly efficient, showing his football IQ, vision over the field and the willingness to trust his receivers to go make a play. Parks can throw accurate passes on the run either to his left or his right, putting them where only his receiver can go get it, taking advantage of matchups on the outside and dissecting the defense to make the right read. As a runner, Parks protected himself by avoiding big hits, but he also made the most of each of his carries, finishing the season with 74 rushes for 383 yards and ten scores.   He loses his leading rusher and four of his top five receivers from last season, but if he can replicate the same success he had as a junior, it'll be tough to keep Parks out of the conversation.     The second running back from 4A to earn a spot on this watchlist is [player_tooltip player_id='1992066' first='Beckett' last='Verros'], who was critical to Sergeant Bluff-Luton's run to Cedar Falls last fall. A slippery, speed demon of a runner, Verros served as both as a wing back for the Warriors, weaving in and out of traffic, avoiding tacklers and then out-pacing them to the endzone. A small, but effective runner of the football, Verros was a tough tackle because of his speed, but also his stature, making his center of gravity difficult go gauge for defenders.   With burst, vision and patience to allow the offensive line to do their job and create holes for him, Verros took full advantage, finishing the year with 144 carries for 1,450 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground, adding two receptions for 45 yards through the air. Because of his size, he'll likely project to serving as a third-down back or a slot receiver at the next level.

The inaugarul Cooper DeJean Trophy, which goes to the top player in all classes, was awarded to Newton's Caden Klein Caden Klein 5'10" | 175 lbs | ATH Newton | 2026 State IA in mid-April. Who will be players to keep an eye on from 4A when the trophy is handed out next year?